Maxine "Max" Barlow (1991 - 2009) was a student at Waterloo Road.
Maxine was first portrayed as a wild child (presumably homeless) and she managed to scrape an income helping to deal drugs.
Around this time, she was in a relationship with Lewis Seddon and was seen in bed with him at Donte Charles' house before proceeding to steal a number of items. After this, Maxine tried to steal Steph's handbag and was allowed to stay at her home.
Maxine's mother had married a man who was working as a cook at Waterloo Road, using the position to get close to underage teenage girls. Maxine later discovered the truth, telling her teacher & friend Steph Haydock which freed Lewis, who was wrongfully convicted of being the rapist.
It was revealed that Maxine had a baby with Lewis. Because she was unable to find help when she went into labor, she gave birth on the field of the school. Sadly, her daughter, Charlotte had died, so Maxine buried the baby in the field.
In Series 3, the skeletal remains of Maxine's baby were discovered by her best friend, Janeece Bryant and pupil Karla Bentham during an archaeological dig for a school project. After the police became involved, Maxine admitted to Janeece that she was the mother, and Janeece informed Steph about it.
In Series 4, Maxine met and grew close to Earl Kelly. They planned to have a baby together, but when Maxine learned that Earl was planning on selling his other newborn baby, she dumped him.
Earl went to Maxine's house with plans for Maxine, knowing what he was going to do to her and threw Janeece out of the house. Janeece knew that something was wrong and she immediately called Steph. Earl ended up shooting Maxine to death and was taken into police custody.
At Chlo Grainger and Donte Charles's wedding, balloons were made for Maxine and then released into the sky.